DESTRUCTIVE LOVE: INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS IN D. H. LAWRENCE’S WOMEN IN LOVE
Keywords:
D. H. Lawren ce, Women in Love, interpersonal relationships, personal experience, friendship, love, family, philosophyAbstract
The thesis Destructive Love: Interpersonal Relationships in D. H. Lawrence’s ‘Women in Love’ argues that Lawrentian love in all of its manifestations is a profoundly destructive force that resonates through virtually all characters of the novel and their respective relationships. To prove that premise, the thesis analyzes Lawrence’s portrayal of various interpersonal relationships on multiple levels: taking into consideration different angles and interpretations, it provides a detailed assessment of such relations, specifically focusing on the pairings of: siblings (Ursula and Gudrun Brangwen), parents and their children (the Brangwens, the Criches), lovers (Ursula Brangwen and Rupert Birkin; Rupert Birkin and Hermione Roddice, and Gudrun Brangwen and Gerald Crich); friends (Rupert Birkin and Gerald Crich), and dalliances (minor characters of the novel). In addition, the thesis analyzes the correlation between such depictions of interpersonal relationships and D. H. Lawrence’s philosophy and personal experiences. The findings strongly suggest that any relationship that is built upon profound differences in worldview and/or the imbalance of power is virtually condemned to failure; moreover, even those relationships that are not outright adversarial are often compelled to face a series of obstacles that they may or may not successfully overcome.
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